A lifesaving mission has 48th anniversary
Vidor Vidorian
8/5/2004

A simple idea that saves lives is celebrating its 48th birthday. That small emblem that covers your wrist, called MedicAlert ®, is now acclaimed worldwide as the leading provider of vital medical information. With instant access to member records in an emergency and translation services in more than 140 languages, MedicAlert services has gained the trust of more than four million members worldwide.

Here are a few examples of how the ability to relay medical information in an emergency is often the difference between life and death:

• While visiting Poland, an elderly member from the United States collapsed. MedicAlert provided phone numbers for the local U.S. Embassy to arrange evacuation and make notifications of next of kin.
• A member undergoing chemotherapy lost consciousness on a flight from Israel to New York City. MedicAlert, in communication with ground controllers, provided the aircrew with medical history and links to treating physicians and called the member's husband to meet the plane.
• A Canadian member became unconscious while playing at a casino. MedicAlert relayed medical history and next of kin information to the ambulance crew transporting her to a nearby hospital.

Accurately maintaining, updating, storing and accessing the medical records of its members within seconds during an emergency call requires constant vigilance in maintaining a quality 24-hour emergency service.

In a year, MedicAlert answered more than half a million calls in the United States alone, helping members to update detailed medical records, change family notifies and renew membership.

Nearly half of all emergency calls received in 2002 were from physicians and nurses in hospital emergency departments who seek extensive information about a member. While only the most critical information can be engraved on an emblem, the MedicAlert emergency response team can provide information ranging from medicines, including dosages and frequency, to allergy to medications, treatments and foods.

For more information on the service, which has an enrollment fee of $35, visit www.medicalert.org/48 or call 800-754-5809